Symptoms....AFTER 'clean' colonoscopy

Hello everyone, and it's nice to find such an active and supportive board here.

1st off, I don't have UC (supposedly).

I'm 36, and while not the worst health....I am overweight and have had a bad diet...though I've improved greatly over 12 months.

9 months ago: Pain in gut. CT scan shows enlarged colon. Anti-biotics cures it in days.

7 months ago: Colonoscopy. Doc says "you're fine". Found a polyp and was benign. I asked him, any ulcerative? Colon Cancer? Anything? He said "no, yo u are totally fine". I asked him if I need yearly colonoscopy and he responded with " see you in 10 years, you are fine".

1 month ago: 1ST TIME, I saw some blood in stool but all was fine after that.

NOW, for the past 4 days, it's hard to make bowel movement. When I have to go, it feels URGENT. But when I try....I get powdery stool. Most times, it's just a few flecks....just a little tiny bit. I feel the "urge" about 6 times a day.....but just tiny specks come out.

No cramps, gas is normal. Rectum slightly hurts....but perhaps that's from "trying" so many times?

I'm terrified. Could it be that a colonoscopy 'missed' something?

Or could this just be constipation? I've not taken any softener or laxative, because I've read that the stuff is bad for Crohn's, UC, etc.

Anyone have this before?

Thank you

Thanks for reply! Keep them coming everyone please.

On the 2nd opinion, does that mean showing the colonoscopy report to another doctor, OR *grrrrr* getting another colonoscopy done?

Thanks!

Think it would do harm to try a Metamucil OR stool softener?

I always thought laxatives were simple: Take it, and poop. But now, JUST in case I have some Crohns, UC, or whatever....I'm worried that taking a softener will really mess me up.

I wonder if I should go see the GI next, or just go to emergency room?

You said you get powdery stool, so how a stool softner will help? I am sorry, I don't get your powdery stool concept. AFAIK, when its constipation, your stools are super hard (and now powdery) so a stool softner with LOT of water and some fiber should help. It doesn't ALWAYS work like that though. My uncle has chronic constipation and no matter what he does or takes, all are temporary solutions, so I get it that its different in every case.

IF, a big IF, you suspect of UC and Crohn's, go with soluble fiber than insoluble one. Insoluble fiber will irritate the colonic mucosa but soluble won't (as much) and will actually 'do the job'. Your diet seems good to me. Can you skip red meat for a week or two to see the effect?. Keep your GI in loop. I don't know how ER will help you with this case, not all ERs are the best. 7X a day doesn't sound a LOT but more than regular for sure.

Stool softeners are not bad for UC, useful really. Laxatives are only harmful if overused to the point that you screw up your natural rythyms. Better to add soluble fiber as mentioned and not tons of it, along with drinking water often.
Skip the shredded wheat and wheat bread, that's insoluble fiber and irritates mucosa.

If you are very concerned and your symptoms seem abnormal you should listen to your gut, unless you tend to hypochondria. If you feel things aren't right then get another c-scope. Doctors can miss things, sometimes it's microscopic colitis. Will you be willing to pay for it if your insurance company says not again so soon?

Your symptoms would not make me get a c-scope but it's you not me.

I am totally unqualified to answer that. I've only been to ER once (unrelated to UC), vomiting constantly with some blood. I tend to go to walk-in clinics if I can't get in to my doctor's for non-bleeding things. Your decision may be different.

This happened to me for awhile when I worked overnight shifts. After 10 days of that I went to the dr. He told me to cut out all dairy products. I did that, and a few days later I was fine. Didn't develop UC until about 4 years later.

-Scratch

AlwaysSomething...

Thanks for the tip. I think the probiotic is in my near future.

I'm going to try meeting with my GI on a rush basis, depends on my luck getting a fast appointment. I guess I'll nicely ask him...."are we positive that my colonoscopy was clean?", and I'll be sincere in telling him I'm not out to blame anyone, I just want to make sure I'm ok.

I THINK, think I saw some mucus today too.

These symptoms are so universal it seems....based on cursory reading I could have anything from simple constipation to colon cancer...what nice range to think about .

I'm praying the GI tells me to have pro-biotic and lay off dairy or whatever. But who knows, this might end up with another CT scan or god forbid another colonoscopy in less than a year.

Blood once, a month ago. 4 days of constant 'urge' to make stool, but mostly putting out powdery tiny stool. Had ONE solid nugget this evening...but I think there was some mucus.

Trying not to be borderline terrified.

WiltonKnight,

Sounds to me as though you've got yourself convinced that underneath it all you have some vile pathology and that - by Jove - nothing the medical profession is likely to tell you is going to convince you otherwise. These attitudes can be self-fulfilling, you know. Try telling yourself that your gastroenterologist is a highly competent and trustworthy man with only your best interest in mind. See if that doesn't change the facts on the ground.

Best wishes.

I think you're going to find it's nothing fatal.
Good for you that you've changed to a more healthy diet!

Drink lots of water and get some exercise. I'm nearly 70 years old and go to the gym at least a few times a week. Makes me feel a lot better than when I'm sitting around.
You remind me of my son who usually decides whatever he gets will be fatal.
Take a breath....stress does not help.
I tell my son not to imagine the worst case scenario.....think horses, not zebras.

Take care of yourself and let us know what your doc says.... Good luck